Brighton punish Onana’s blunder to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford
Brighton secured a dominant victory over Manchester United, capitalizing on a critical error by goalkeeper Andre Onana to hand the hosts their fourth defeat in five Premier League home games.
The loss leaves Ruben Amorim’s side languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Brighton took an early lead through Yankuba Minteh, who converted Kaoru Mitoma’s electric run and assist in the fifth minute. United briefly leveled with a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 23rd minute, but Mitoma restored Brighton’s advantage in the second half, outmuscling Noussair Mazraoui to score from close range after Minteh’s cross.
The turning point came when Onana, attempting to collect a low cross from Yasin Ayari, fumbled the ball in a bizarre error. Substitute Georginio Rutter capitalized, slotting the ball into an empty net, leaving Onana visibly frustrated.
Despite United’s midweek successes, Brighton continued to dominate. A Joao Pedro goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul in the build-up, but the Seagulls’ fluid attacking display proved too much for the Red Devils. The result marked Brighton’s sixth win in seven meetings with United, including three consecutive victories at Old Trafford in the Premier League era—a feat only Manchester City has matched.
While Brighton strengthens their European qualification hopes, United’s struggles deepen. Amorim’s team has now lost four of their last six league games, sitting seven points behind 10th-placed Fulham and 10 above the relegation zone.
Challenges Mount for Manchester United
The performance epitomized United’s inconsistency and vulnerability. Defensive errors, lack of coordination, and a sense of uncertainty throughout the squad contributed to the disjointed display. Key players such as Marcus Rashford and Antony have been linked with exits, underscoring the instability within the club. Amorim has acknowledged the challenges ahead, warning of a long road to recovery.
Brighton’s Fluidity Drives Success
Brighton’s tactical flexibility and attacking cohesion were key to their triumph. Danny Welbeck’s movements off the ball created space for Mitoma and Ayari, exploiting United’s defensive frailties. Despite a challenging start to the season, Fabian Hurzeler’s side has now recorded three consecutive away wins, reigniting their European aspirations.
Brighton’s supporters left Old Trafford jubilant, savoring another memorable performance against Manchester United, while questions continue to mount over the Red Devils’ direction under Amorim.